A plush new fine-dining experience overlooking the marina.
A substantial renovation has breathed bright and airy new life and art into the iconic Cape Grace hotel at the V&A Waterfront. The newly imagined restaurant, Heirloom, is plush, light and beautifully comfortable, with grandstand views of the marina. Against a backdrop of bobbing yachts, twinkling lights, and Table Mountain’s distinctive silhouette beyond, chef Gregory Czarnecki has devised a fine-dining degustation menu to celebrate the rich tapestry of South African flavours and local ingredients.
Minimalist fine dining
A purist with a wealth of culinary expertise, chef Gregory Czarnecki (formerly the Restaurant at Waterkloof) takes a diametrically opposite approach to the fine-dining culture of theatrics, with his daringly minimalist four- and seven-course tasting menus and vibrant à la carte menu. Not a hint of foam, drizzle or garnish in sight, but rather a monochromatic white-themed palette throughout the menu. It’s all about restrained elegance, without skimping on indulgence, impeccably executed by executive chef Asher Abramowitz (ex The Bailey) and team.
Classic French cuisine meets contemporary local ingredients, creating a sense of intrigue as you discover the star ingredient hidden beneath the veil of a richly creamy sauce, a lattice of kataifi pastry, or a canopy of crispy chicken skin. A pop of colour is occasionally revealed under the surface: confit tomato adding a counterbalance of acidity to the seductive rock lobster Dugléré; or the morel and port jus with the deceptively simple poached chicken dish. It’s clever, beguiling (even a touch bewildering to the eye), and rich enough to please the most hedonistic of diners.
Good to know There are also plant-based and pescatarian versions of the degustation and tasting menus, as well as a vibrant à la carte menu. The four- and seven-course tasting menus are available for lunch and dinner. Specially selected wine pairings can be ordered alongside these menus at a cost.
Cost R1 200 (4 courses)
R1 700 (7 courses)
Eat à la carte at Heirloom
For hotel guests and locals who just want to enjoy the sumptuous surroundings over a plate or two, without committing to a lengthy tasting experience, there’s also an à la carte menu. Here you’ll find a few of the dishes from the degustation menus (the hake quenelles with an MCC sauce come highly recommended), as well as dishes such as wagyu beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, or kingklip with grapefruit and tarragon. For dessert the rum baba with passion fruit and Tahitian vanilla (which features as a pre-dessert on the tasting menus) is a delicately creamy delight.
Good to know The à la carte menu is available for lunch and dinner.
Cost R530 (2 courses)
R750 (3 courses)
A luxurious dining experience in beautiful surroundings.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 2pm, 7pm – 9pm
Contact 021 410 7068, capegrace.heirloom@fairmont.com
Where to find it West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
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